Questions about the safety of the population in crisis conditions and the availability of shelters are becoming increasingly relevant, writes LA.lv. In the TV24 program “Uz līnijas”, the Chairman of the Committee on Security, Order, and Corruption Prevention of the Riga City Council, Girts Lapinš, commented on one of the most frequently asked questions: will it be possible to take a pet to the shelter if the need arises?
According to Lapinš, the current version of the regulations indicates that pets will not be allowed in the shelter. There is a rational explanation for this — such facilities are not intended for long-term stays, and they can accommodate a very large number of people at the same time.
"Imagine a situation. There are many people in the shelter, it is overcrowded. The shelter should be perceived as a place to stay for half an hour, an hour. It is not meant for living. There will be a lot of people — 500, 1000 people — and a dog comes in," Lapinš explained.
He emphasized that in crisis conditions, it is impossible to predict how animals will react to loud noises, chaos, or the presence of other people. This can create an additional threat in an already stressful situation: "Who can take responsibility for each dog, for how it will behave in a crisis situation? Bombs are falling — it may start attacking or something like that."
At the same time, he said, exceptions will be made for service animals that are specially trained to work in extreme situations. Other animals will have to remain in a safe place outside the shelter.
"I think service dogs — those that are trained, police dogs, guide dogs — will be allowed. But all other animals — no," Lapinš noted.
He urged residents to prepare in advance for such a possible situation and ensure that their pets have a safe place at home with access to water, food, and shelter.
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